SHINING CHAMPION EARNS FIRST VICTORY IN AH SIGH HANDICAP ON SUNDAY

Juan Jose Calderon’s Shining Champion earned his first victory in only his third career start, defeating a field that included Grade 1 Ed Burke Memorial Futurity winner CV Fdddinasty Shan and Restricted Grade 1 Governor’s Cup Futurity winner Contentious in the $30,000 Ah Sigh Handicap on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Gabriel Lara for trainer Sergio Morfin, Shining Champion led from start to finish from post nine, crossing the wire a neck in front of CV Fdddinasty Shan.

Bred by Francisco Mejia Larios, Shining Champion covered the 400 yards in :20.035 while earning $16,500 for the win.

The colt by third-crop sire Mpshinning began his career by running fourth in a maiden event on June 6. His connections gave him plenty of time off before bringing him back to run second against Golden State Million Futurity finalist Cartel Cowgirl 123 in a trial for that race on October 3.

Shining Champion did not get the win in that trial, but the experience proved valuable as he came back to score this stakes victory just three weeks later.

“I’m very proud of this horse and of course of Sergio’s team as well,” the owner said. “I’m thankful to the trainer for preparing the horse so well for this race. I’ve been here for a while – about 15 years – enjoying the races, and this is the first time I’ve won a race at this level. I’m very happy to have won a stakes race at this racetrack.

“I purchased this horse thanks to Sergio. He recommended this horse to me. I’m really excited about Shining Champion. He’s still a colt, and I think he has a bright future.”

CV Fdddinasty Shan, who entered the race as an accomplished Grade 1 futurity winner, finished second under jockey Armando Viramontes, earning $6,750 for owner J. Francisco Diaz. Trained by Lindolfo Diaz, the 2-year-old gelding is by FDD Dynasty out of Shangrilalala, by Mr Jess Perry. He was bred by JGA Racing Stables Inc.

CV Fdddinasty Shan has compiled a record of four wins and one second from six career starts, earning $424,220. His biggest victory came in the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity earlier this season. He also finished fourth in the Restricted Grade 2 PCQHRA Breeders' Futurity.

Standing With Pride finished another three-quarters of a length behind CV Fdddinasty Shan to take third, collecting $3,750 for owner and breeder EG High Desert Farms LLC. Martin Arriaga rode the gelding for trainer Francisco Rodriguez.

The 2-year-old son of multiple stakes sire A Mere Felix is out of Gimme Back Mybullets, by Mr Jess Perry. Standing With Pride was a $22,000 RNA at the 2025 Los Alamitos Equine Mixed Sale.

Standing With Pride has made nine career starts, recording one win, two seconds, and two thirds, with earnings of $18,133. His stakes performances include a runner-up finish in the Ed Burke Memorial Juvenile and a third-place finish in the Ah Sigh Handicap.v

The complete order of finish is as follows: Shining Champion, CV Fdddinasty Shan, Standing With Pride, Just Try Me, Smilinthruthetears, MP Jess Rockin, Blue Eyes Cowboy, Contentious, and Dios Dorado.

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